NEW BRAUNFELS — A 19-year-old San Marcos man who fled police at speeds today that topped 90 mph on Interstate 35 was arrested for marijuana possession, evidence tampering and evading arrest.

The man, who police say threw an automatic rifle out the window at one point in the pursuit, could face other charges, New Braunfels police spokesperson David Ferguson said. He is not being identified because he has not yet been magistrated, Ferguson said.

Responding to a “welfare concern” forwarded by the San Marcos Police Department, a New Braunfels police officer located a gray Nissan Versa at the Travel Centers of America truck stop, 4817 Interstate 35, Ferguson said. The man was leaving as the officer was arriving at about 3:30 p.m. Friday and fled southbound on the Interstate 35 frontage road when police attempted to pull him over.

He blew through a traffic signal at the New Braunfels loop and then hopped the curb and drove into oncoming traffic lanes when taking the North Business 35 turnaround at a high rate of speed, Ferguson said. As he turned onto the northbound frontage road, he threw an automatic rifle from his vehicle window, Ferguson said.

Officers stopped the vehicle with a PIT maneuver after one of its front tires went flat and the driver slowed to 25 to 30 mph. Police found about two ounces of marijuana in the car, Ferguson said.

The driver claimed he had swallowed unidentified pills and was taken to Resolute Health hospital for treatment where he remains in custody. Northbound Interstate 35 was closed until police removed the disabled vehicle at about 4:15 p.m.